ja but no but ja but
Sep. 25th, 2009 05:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbc Trips plans for Europe are coming along nicely. Today I hit one of those "what a company that wants your business does" moments.
I've rather anally researched various options, and decide on specific trains between:
Budapest-Zagreb (afternoon express train, arriving in time for a late supper)
Zagreb-Belgrade (sleeper)
Belgrade-Thessaloniki (sleeper)
And the cost differential between 2nd and 1st was such that I booked first. Now before anyone gets all "gurl get a rail pass" lemme just get like "nuh-uh I am over the youth hostel thing and I totally want confirmed tickets in my hand, k?" And despite knowing I'll pay a bit of a premium for wanting this, I booked the first two via Rail Europe's web site.
Which is really new and spiffy. and which sorts of accounts for what happens next. I scour the website trying to discern the supplement for sleepers (couchettes, sleepers, depending on class of service). I worked in travel , I know to scour. I know how to scoure. And dayum if the site didn't say "prices quoted for overnight trains include sleepers." And nothing to contradict this.
I searched for the times/dates and made bookings. And payment. And documents are sent super-fast, via (ugh) UPS...but at least they're documents so no bogus UPS duty. But I digress...
Documents arrive today: 2 tickets, one confirmation (Budapest-Zagreb). I call Rail Europe and the agent totally gets why I'm confused, sees where the site says the fare included the sleeper (and reservation), and quickly ascertains my options. She (Michelle/Shelly) was pleasant and efficient and clear. I elected to do a 2 person sleeper, which she confirmed.
I also said that when we were done I wanted to know how to express my unhappiness about having to shell out additional money...their site said I didn't. I was on hold for perhaps 3 minutes when her supervisor came on. Who refunded the extra charges and ensured the confirmation would be en route to me today.
Scheduled for delivery on Monday in fact. That's customer service! Now if only Serbian Railways website worked, so I could book my Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens trains....
I've rather anally researched various options, and decide on specific trains between:
Budapest-Zagreb (afternoon express train, arriving in time for a late supper)
Zagreb-Belgrade (sleeper)
Belgrade-Thessaloniki (sleeper)
And the cost differential between 2nd and 1st was such that I booked first. Now before anyone gets all "gurl get a rail pass" lemme just get like "nuh-uh I am over the youth hostel thing and I totally want confirmed tickets in my hand, k?" And despite knowing I'll pay a bit of a premium for wanting this, I booked the first two via Rail Europe's web site.
Which is really new and spiffy. and which sorts of accounts for what happens next. I scour the website trying to discern the supplement for sleepers (couchettes, sleepers, depending on class of service). I worked in travel , I know to scour. I know how to scoure. And dayum if the site didn't say "prices quoted for overnight trains include sleepers." And nothing to contradict this.
I searched for the times/dates and made bookings. And payment. And documents are sent super-fast, via (ugh) UPS...but at least they're documents so no bogus UPS duty. But I digress...
Documents arrive today: 2 tickets, one confirmation (Budapest-Zagreb). I call Rail Europe and the agent totally gets why I'm confused, sees where the site says the fare included the sleeper (and reservation), and quickly ascertains my options. She (Michelle/Shelly) was pleasant and efficient and clear. I elected to do a 2 person sleeper, which she confirmed.
I also said that when we were done I wanted to know how to express my unhappiness about having to shell out additional money...their site said I didn't. I was on hold for perhaps 3 minutes when her supervisor came on. Who refunded the extra charges and ensured the confirmation would be en route to me today.
Scheduled for delivery on Monday in fact. That's customer service! Now if only Serbian Railways website worked, so I could book my Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens trains....
